The Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels aka “My Man Mitch” has a new plan for the property tax crisis that is mainly afflicting Indianapolis and it’s surrounding counties.
I’m mad as hell, because I voted for this guy. He’s not “my man” anymore.
Let me outline this tax crisis for those of you not aware of the situation. This year, many peoples’ property taxes increased significantly. So much that it makes it almost impossible to own a home in some areas around Indianapolis. My sister-in-law lives in the extreme southeast corner of Marion County and has some personal knowledge of some of these increases. A co-worker of hers property taxes went from $2000 a year, to a whopping $10,000 a year. No this is not a mansion, this is a “standard” home, on a lot between 1/8 and 1/2 an acre.
The Plan: The Governor proposed a cap on property taxes to 1% of the assessed value of the property, plus a 1% increase in sales tax.
This may be a good deal for many in the Indianapolis area, but not for me.
This plan in effect would theoretically increase my property taxes by as much as 35%, plus I would have to pay 1% more for most of the items I purchase! How does this help me?
This is by no means a done deal yet. It has to pass through the legislature, and an amendment to the Indiana Consitution has to be made before it is law. As we all know, the beginning proposal and the end result can be completely different.
As a person commented on the Herald-Times website about this story, “They call this a 1% cap making you think that is all you will ever pay, the truth being as your property value goes up so do your property tax. According to my property tax a 1% tax is about what I’m now paying, so now I get to pay 7% sales tax? We need to do away with personal property tax and raise the indiana income tax. As people make more income the state receives more income, should never have to raise taxes again. The State needs to live within their means as all the private sector does. If you don’t have the money you don’t do it.”
Either way, I’m mad as hell.